Chapter 777: Chapter 775 Still, business matters are the priority, haha
Ye Xinyan finished speaking and silently waited for the emperor to speak. She did not look up to see the reactions of everyone present, but she generally understood their expressions and thoughts. However, at this point, speaking more would be of no use; she could only wait for the emperor to express himself before she could continue.
After a long while, the Emperor finally opened his mouth and said, “Whether it’s the Iron Workshop or the two stores, it is indeed inappropriate to use your techniques for profit without compensation. Although it does not violate the law, it is not justified in terms of reason and sentint.”
The Emperor paused for a mont and continued, “I can order them to compensate you, as long as your demands are not too excessive, I can decide on your behalf. However, your proposal that others should not be allowed to replicate is inappropriate. Not only I, but no one will support your request.”
Ye Xinyan looked up and asked, “Why is it inappropriate? The Qi family and I invested a lot of financial and ntal effort to create these tools. Why can’t we decide what to do with our own things?”
The Emperor furrowed his brows, genuinely puzzled; how could this normally clever woman beco so confused and stubborn at such an obvious ti?
“You Chenghui, explain to Miss Ye why all dynasties have never prohibited the replication of ‘beneficial hands’ tools.”
You Chenghui had already reviewed the case and explained it once, his explanation was well-practiced.
He promptly agreed, stood up, and repeated his previous explanation about the obstruction that limiting the replication of tools would pose to agricultural and construction activities among the common people.
“Do you understand now?” The Emperor’s tone had softened by this point. He was aware of so of these tools, such as the highly ingenious Chain Inversion Device. He understood Ye Xinyan’s thoughts, but for the convenience of the court, the people, and the craftsn, it was best to promote these tools as quickly as possible, which ant inconveniencing her sowhat.
Ye Xinyan paused before saying, “Lord You’s aning, I understand. However, Lord You does not seem to grasp my point.”
The emperor’s eyes flashed, and a smile appeared on his lips; although the woman was stubborn, she also had a cunning way with words. Her words seed not directed at You Chenghui, but implied that the Emperor himself did not understand.
“Oh? From what I heard, Lord You has explained the situation quite clearly. While the practices of these two stores are not fitting, causing the Qi family so losses, the many common people and craftsn are the ones who benefit, which also greatly saves manpower and material resources for the court. If the two stores compensate you accordingly, your losses would be compensated for. Relying solely on your and the Qi Family chanical Workshop’s capabilities, you can’t produce many tools, and therefore new tools can’t be quickly popularized.”
“I disagree.” Ye Xinyan stubbornly said, “I am able to obtain compensation because I co from a family with substantial resources, and this business also involves a share for His Highness Prince Yu. But tell , if common wealthy households or craftsn faced such a situation, against such powerful opponents, could they receive justice?”
The emperor frowned again, and You Chenghui and the other attendees were montarily stunned. Then it occurred to them that although what Ye Xinyan said was true, it was rely an individual loss, and the benefit was to the entire world. After all, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
A cold smile erged on the corners of Ye Xinyan’s mouth as she said, “His Majesty and all the lords here must think that even so, it’s just an individual suffering so loss while the entire world and the court benefit. In truth, the practice throughout the ages of not restricting the plundering of others’ craftsmanship, while seemingly beneficial to the nation and the people, is actually draining the pond to catch all the fish.”
The faces of those present grew sowhat embarrassed. It was one thing to think this way, but quite another to have the sacrifice of the little people so bluntly stated, and what about this draining the pond to catch all the fish?
The cold sneer on Ye Xinyan’s lips grew even colder, “No wonder craftsn with new thods and new technologies hide and hoard them, leading to the loss and disappearance of many fine skills. This confirms the saying ‘Teach the apprentice, starve the master.’ If everyone can gain without effort, then those who develop these tools are heading toward a dead end.”
Liu Chengzhi, agitated by Ye Xinyan’s harsh words, snorted coldly: “Alarmist talk!”
“Is it really just alarmist talk? As soone who has overseen the production of apparatuses, I know the great investnt involved. Such a significant investnt yields products that struggle to turn a profit. This directly leads to craftsn, even if they occasionally do make so earnings, being too afraid to show it, let alone soone spending a huge fortune to develop new things. This kills the innovative spirit of intelligent craftsn. Is this not the equivalent of draining the pond to catch all the fish?”
Liu Chengzhi was at a loss for words.
Ye Xinyan raised her eyes and faced the Emperor, “If returns aren’t guaranteed, and one relies solely on interest, then how far can an ordinary person, or even a mildly wealthy family, go with such costly enthusiasm? After spending all their wealth, should they just make wedding dresses for the rich and powerful?”
Prince Fu felt a hidden anger. This mad woman was simply too presumptuous, and such a foolish person would only be on a path to self-destruction. If he ca to power, he certainly wouldn’t tolerate her!
The Emperor also sensed the aning in Ye Xinyan’s words and frowned, feeling displeased. Yet, he knew that what Ye Xinyan said was true, but the asures she was asking for were indeed not conducive to the promotion and expansion of new skills.
Han Yanhui interjected, “But we cannot do as Miss Ye suggests and prohibit others from replicating the work. If a craftsman or a wealthy household were making sothing as intricate as the Chain Inversion Device, and they only produce one a year, should the whole world just wait around and let important matters be delayed?”
Finally, the conversation reached the main point; a glint of light flashed in Ye Xinyan’s eyes. She had been waiting all this ti for either the Emperor or soone else to say exactly that.
She gave the Emperor another bow, her eyes sparkling and said, “Your Majesty, how about enacting another law for our Great Xia Dynasty?”
“Another law?” The Emperor was surprised, not understanding how the conversation about profits from tools turned to legislation.
Liu Chengzhi could no longer hold back, frowning as he scolded in a low voice, “Impudent woman! The laws of the court are not to be criticized by an ignorant woman such as yourself!”
Ye Xinyan raised an eyebrow at him. Wasn’t he just a staunch supporter of Prince Fu? If he wanted to support Prince Fu, he should ensure that he truly is a wise and virtuous leader. If he had the qualities of a sage ruler, would a minor figure like her have been able to cause such a stir before the Emperor?
“Of course, it also depends on whom you are dealing with. If everyone were sensible and followed the regulations, a petty person like would naturally not have the chance to speak out of turn,” Ye Xinyan said slowly, “Back when I was stranded and poor, unable to afford toys for my younger brother, I had my grandfather make a pedal-driven toy car. His Highness Prince Yu happened to see it and wanted to have one made for his own nephews to play with, so he imdiately gave thirty taels of patterned silver, but he only took away one sketch. His Highness Prince Yu did not use that toy car to make a profit, but he also knew it wasn’t right to take sothing from another without compensation.”
Prince Fu’s heart sank. For so many years, he had maintained a reputation for being virtuous and diligent, yet on this matter, he had been tainted.
Liu Chengzhi hadn’t expected Ye Xinyan’s counterattack, especially her comparison between Prince Yu and Prince Fu, which left him with an ashen face.
Jinrong smiled bitterly. Was it really necessary for Ye Zi to be so aggressive? If those on Prince Fu’s side took notice of her, things could turn out badly. It seed that her personal security would need to be strengthened in the future.
The Emperor was also made somber by Ye Xinyan’s words, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd before settling on Ye Xinyan, “If you’re not in a hurry to resolve this matter, then let’s drop the discussion about making apparatuses, and you can go to the capital’s yan to face the charges.”
Ah, he was upset that she had cornered his son, wasn’t he? Was it really necessary? Although she had cornered one, she also praised another, didn’t she?
“Um, let’s focus on the important matters at hand. Let’s talk about the real issue, shall we?”
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